Question and answer

One of the ways in which complicated ideas or large subjects are best dealt with are probably Question and Answers. It may seem like a rather simple proposition, but how it is done is also important.
I have been given a task to actually do a Question and Answer section in relation to an area of law. Where am I to start? Definitions may be good. Questions like- What does it mean? How do I ...? When does this occur?

But the trickier aspect to this is going in a little bit more detail to longer questions. My concern is my audience. I am approaching an audience who may know little about the area of law I am discussing about, yet I want to be able to communicate and provide a short, concise yet comprehensive guide so that I can tell them what I think the law is and provide an easy to use approach as well.

It is very often the case that law is not simple and neither is it easy to comprehend. What cynics think of the law, partly could be because they don't have the time or access to digest volumes and volumes of texts, like Halsbury law, or internet access to Westlaw, LexisNexis and further still understand legal Gargon which is designed for lawyers and lawyers to be.

Time limits is a simple one. It usually only involves one date, or a certain time period for instance a week or approximately 21 days or more specific 21 days with the deadline at 5pm. Many would find this a non-issue.

Let's talk about prohibition. In this respect, I mean no-nos. Areas which should not be entered into and could result in a heafty fine. Very often there are standards but they are just as clear as the concept of 'reasonableness.' If one were to post an article or in relation to a complex issue in a question and answer mode, then what could I expect of a 'reasonable' person in reading this article would react. The challenge is greater when my concept of 'reasonableness' fluctuates and also even worst when the topic I am discussing about is of great depth and technicality in the law.

An example here is let's look at 'European Directives' - what does it mean? Well, it is usually seen as administrative, laws and regulations related to Member States of the European Union'. Is this sufficient? No. So we go further, 'this particular Directive includes the provisions protecting the interest of the consumer'. But what does a 'reasonable' individual reading this information find- that they get an overview. A far too simplistic overview of what they may really want to read. However, on the other hand, the beauty of Question and answer is that it sets the grounds for a taste of what could be discussed and provide an incentive to find out more.

This methodology is certainly most useful in enabling one who knows little about any topic, to quickly decipher what kind of field they are entering, how they perceive it, yet knowing that little subjectivity ought to be placed on such a 'easy to use' guide. I think if advertising, magazines, newspapers, manuals and publications all had a basic appropriate in passing on certain messages it would better enable a greater number of people having access to more technical areas of discussion and thereby enhancing the distribution of knowledge and access.